Florida man Richard Christopher Smith offers police alcohol during car chase
A Florida man found himself in quite the predicament after allegedly stealing items from a convenience store and leading deputies on a wild car chase. Richard Christopher Smith, 39, reportedly took several items, including alcoholic beverages, from the Spring Lake Market before fleeing in a vehicle when deputies arrived on the scene.
During the pursuit, Smith shocked authorities by offering them a vodka spritzer as he drove by, nonchalantly stating, “I was just going to give you a drink, that’s it.” The deputies were taken aback by his audacity, with the sheriff’s office humorously commenting, “We don’t know if he was expecting us to just say ‘Cheers!’ and let him go, or what.”
The chase eventually came to an end in the parking lot of a business at the Sebring Regional Airport. Smith, a Miami resident, attempted to ram two patrol vehicles and had all four of his tires flattened by spike strips before being apprehended. Despite the chaos unfolding around him, Smith remained unfazed, casually trying to walk away from the scene while smoking a cigarette and asking the deputies, “You guys had fun, though, right?”
However, his escape plan was short-lived as he was swiftly Tased and arrested by authorities. Smith now faces a slew of charges, including two counts of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, battery on a law enforcement officer, resisting arrest, DUI, refusal to submit to a DUI test, and petit theft. His bond has been set at $120,000.
The bizarre incident serves as a reminder of the importance of not drinking and driving, as well as the unpredictability of individuals’ actions when faced with law enforcement. Smith’s brazen behavior during the car chase has left many scratching their heads and serves as a cautionary tale for those who may be tempted to engage in reckless behavior.
